10 Reasons Why I Love My DVC

My husband and I have been Disney Vacation Club owners since February 2007. We made the decision to buy after we rented points to stay at Boardwalk Villas, for my husband’s 40th Birthday, and haven’t looked back. I love my DVC and here’s why:

1. Pre-paid accommodation – For us, any visit to WDW means we have to contend with the incredibly high flight prices. Therefore, the fact that we don’t have additional accommodation costs is a real bonus and often means we can manage a WDW trip every year instead of every other.

2. Rooms to suit our travel party size – With just one dependent child now, we can usually make do with a studio on our trips, however it is great to have the flexibility to be able to book larger accommodations when necessary. This has allowed us to take extended family and our adult children on WDW trips, without the additional cost that would normally go hand in hand with larger accommodations.

3. The ability to stay at different resorts – I love the fact that we have been able to stay at so many different resorts, experiencing all the benefits they have to offer and being able to choose a resort to suit our vacation type; for example, an Epcot area resort when staying as a couple, the spacious accommodations of Old Key West when visiting with family or the novelty of a brand new villas resort such as Disney’s Polynesian Villas.

4. Perks – So, it’s a well known fact that you shouldn’t buy DVC for perks since they can be changed/added/removed at will and are never guaranteed. But it certainly is nice to get 10% off lunch at favorite eateries like Teppan Edo and Earl of Sandwich and a cash discount on ice cream treats at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain. Plus, the discount on Annual Passes has been very handy on the couple of occasions where we have had multiple trips planned within a 12 month period.

5. Home away from home – I am not one who likes to cook or clean when I am on holiday, but the washer/dryer and full size refrigerator is very useful. I never really realised how much I would appreciate being able to go home with a suitcase full of clean clothes, rather than dirty laundry. I do draw the line at ironing on holiday though!

6. Distinctive rooms – The DVC resorts boast some unique spaces, not least the new Polynesian Bungalows and the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs. The three-bedroom Grand Villas are equally as stunning, though, and thanks to DVC my family had the opportunity to stay in a Grand Villa at Bay Lake Tower, with theme park view. It was phenomenal and will forever be implanted in my brain as one of the nicest places I’ve ever stayed.

7. Members’ only areas – Admission to the Top of the World Lounge and fireworks viewing platform at Bay Lake Tower is limited to DVC members staying at a Disney World resort, and guests staying on their reservation. A wonderful place to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks, there is something special about being granted entrance to this exclusive area. And, if it is still open, I am looking forward to trying out the new members’ only lounge at Epcot on my next trip.

8. Disney Files – A members’ only magazine, which pops through the letterbox every 3 months, this publication keeps us up to date with the latest developments within the DVC arena. It is a little taste of Disney at home, as well as providing us with tidbits of information and tasters of new additions to whet our appetites for our next visit home.

9. Pool hopping – DVC members are permitted to pool hop (with some exceptions). So, if we fancy taking a dip in the Beach Pool at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort or slipping and sliding down the Keister Coaster pool slide at the Luna Pool at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas, we can.

10. Welcome Home – Without a doubt, one of my most favourite things about being a DVC member is hearing the Cast Member utter those magical words when we arrive – “Welcome Home”.